Can we continue to ignore the fact that climate change is amplifying other problems in the Great Lakes?

Lake levels, ice cover, algae blooms, erosion, aging sewer systems, water quality,aquatic ecosystems, fisheries, drinking water and an economy that relies on tourism, boating, fishing, and industry are all impacted as temperatures rise.

How are the toxic chemicals accumulating in the Great Lakes ecosystem affecting wildlife and humans? Widespread effects on fish and wildlife prompt fish consumption advisories and concern for drinking water safety. Economies that depend on tourism, fishing and other water-related activities also suffer when water quality and ecosystem health declines. 

Where does your wastewater go when you flush the toilet or take a shower? Does it go to a century-old treatment plant or a septic system on your property?

What about the rain and snow melt from your roof and driveway and the roads and parking lots you use each day? Does it seep into the ground or does it rush off to the nearest storm drain or stream?

Lessons learned from Presque Isle Bay’s watershed can help us continue restoration efforts to improve this important waterway in the Lake Erie ecosystem. But they can also keep us from making the same mistakes in the entire Lake Erie watershed in Pennsylvania.

The environmental degradation of the Great Lakes in the last 150 years was inevitable but not unavoidable. Unchecked coastal exploitation resulted from the mistaken belief that their enormous volumes of water could indefinitely deal with a growing human population and unsustainable development. Four of the largest U.S. metro areas and hundreds of large and smaller cities are located on the shores of the Great Lakes.

Lake Erie has many threats including sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, toxic chemicals, microorganisms,untreated sewage,salt, plastics, metals and heat create which create perfect conditions for harmful algal blooms, dead zones, acid rain and other problems. Erosion, beach closures, fishing and swimming advisories, millions of dollars in flooding and infrastructure damage and thousands of acres of lifeless streams, rivers and lakes are avoidable disasters that are caused by human activities.

Do you take the Great Lakes for granted? Do you think that because you live near the largest, surface freshwater system in the world, your access to clean water is limitless? If so, you’re not alone. Too many people believe that water is a renewable resource (it isn’t) or that it’s easy to fix pollution problems caused by human activities. How else can you explain the serious threats to the Great Lakes, which 40 million U.S. and Canadian citizens and countless wildlife depend on for survival?

It is said that wars will be fought over water in this century and in some regions, conflicts over water are evident.

Think of withdrawing water from its source like withdrawing money from a bank account. What happens if you only take money out and never make deposits, or your deposits don't keep up with your withdrawals? 

In 40 years, will there be enough water where you live that can support life?